While I wasn't surprised to sip amazing wine at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, I was not expecting to find an extraordinary nonalcoholic sparkler among the mix. However, the lovely ladies from Sonoma Sparkler were there pouring the bubbly juices. I tasted three of the refreshing sparklers and was highly impressed with the fizzy texture and fresh-fruit flavor. The juice is slightly sweet, easy to drink, and incredibly fruity. They come in six flavors: apple, pear, peach, raspberry, blood orange, and lemonade. With its vibrant pink hue, my favorite was the raspberry. I plan to stock up on Sonoma Sparkler.

It's the perfect option for those who are pregnant or don't drink. Have you tasted this nonalcoholic libation? What did you think?

In 2008, Food Network chef and host Robert Irvine sure had a roller coaster of a year. And his ride's not over quite yet: He's back and ready to return to the set of Dinner: Impossible.

According to the network, in the newest season of D:I, which premieres April 8, Irvine faces some of his most unique predicaments thus far. Now, more so than ever, he'll be forced to think creatively under great pressures and time limits. In the first challenge, Irvine must act under severe outdoor conditions to put together an extreme menu for athletes at the Winter X Games. In another challenge, the chef visits Yahoo's headquarters and faces a curve ball to cook with top-searched ingredients.

I think Food Network made the right decision in bringing back Irvine, and I'm pumped to see the ex-military chef bust his chops again in a new season of the show. Will you be tuning in?

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I don't often buy German-style dark rye bread, but when I spotted some at Trader Joe's the other day, I knew it would be perfect for the Swedish-inspired salmon sandwiches I'd been wanting to make. I ditched the original recipe's finger-sandwich suggestion and made full-size but dainty sandwiches instead. Layering smoked fish on dark bread definitely has a Scandinavian feel, but the wasabi cream cheese adds an eye-opening Japanese kick.The nutty bread combined with velvety fish, creamy avocado, and even creamier spread makes for a cold sandwich that's hearty enough for dinnertime. My only complaint was that the wasabi — which I love — was too subtle. Next time, I'd mix in more, and if you like the tingly mustard, I suggest you do the same. To get the easy recipe, read more

• If you've got leftover bread, here are 33 suggestions for making the most of it. — San Francisco Chronicle
• Amidst his company's financial woes, Gordon Ramsay has sold his West Hollywood restaurant. — Los Angeles Times
• Is it acceptable to ask your waiter to jot down your order? — New York Times
• For a St. Patty's Day seafood dish, turn to haddock fillets steeped in Irish cider. — Chicago Tribune
• What's on the menu at Nowruz, or Persian New Year. — Boston Globe
• 10 tips to get the most wine for your buck when dining out. — Wall Street Journal
• Move over, mac and cheese: humble hashes are this season's top comfort food. — Washington Post

After the election, many prominent foodies had high hopes of President Obama taking on the country's food system. However, they were disappointed when it became clear that the president has more important things to worry about than the nation's obesity crisis. His wife's agenda, on the other hand, will focus on fresh, local, and healthful eating.

Since moving into the White House, Michelle Obama has opened the kitchen up for a press tour while publicly discussing her family's diet. Last week she served lunch at a neighborhood soup kitchen, Miriam's Kitchen, an organization that offers 100 percent homemade dishes to the homeless. Of the experience, Mrs. Obama said:

You know, we want to make sure our guests here and across the nation are eating nutritious items. Collect some fruits and vegetables; bring by some good healthy food. We can provide this kind of healthy food for communities across the country, and we can do it by each of us lending a hand.

I'm happy to see that the first lady is being a role model and encouraging the country to understand the importance of nutritious, fresh, and delicious foods. Only time will tell if her efforts make a significant impact on the way we eat. What do you think of her foodie agenda?

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The menu for my girls-only St. Patrick's Day pre-going-out party is mostly finger foods. The girls should be able to mingle and snack at their leisure; therefore, serve a dessert that's individual and portable. These chocolate-mint cookies are perfect!

Everyone is bound to love them because they're like a homemade version of the classic Girl Scout thin mint. The cookies can be made two days in advance, so get started early.

These scrumptious sandwiches would also be a great gift wrapped in green ribbon. To check out the recipe, read more

Beverage titan Coca-Cola, eager to improve flat sales of carbonated beverage Vault, is hoping to win over consumers with a campaign that employs a tried-and-true tactic: free drinks.

Although Pepsi-owned (and recently renamed) Mtn Dew carries as much as 80 percent of the market share for citrus soda, Coca-Cola's three-year-old citrus cooler Vault, with four percent of the market share, has fizzled with customers. Hoping to turn the tides for Vault, Coca-Cola will soon begin its "Don't Dew It" campaign.

In an attempt to convert Mtn Dew die-hards into Vault fanatics, the company will be giving away coupons for free 16-ounce, 20-ounce, or 24-ounce Vault drinks when customers purchase a 20-ounce Mtn Dew.

During the economic downturn, consumer coupon use has skyrocketed. Like other recent promotions, industry experts anticipate that the "Vault Taste Challenge," will see a huge participation rate from consumers. Of course, for Coca-Cola, it will come at a price — that of at least a couple million dollars.

Although I think this campaign will be successful, I'm skeptical of Coca-Cola snagging a significant portion of Mtn Dew's market share. I used to be a huge Mtn Dew fan, and Surge, Mellow Yellow, and the others just didn't do it for me. Do you think it will prove to be lucrative?

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